The unpredictable origins and etymologies of our cracking Christmas customs For something that happens every year of our lives, we really don’t know much about Christmas. We don’t know that the date we celebrate was chosen by a madman, or that Christmas, etymologically speaking, means ‘Go away, Christ’. Nor do we know that Christmas was first celebrated in 243 AD on 28 March – and only moved to 25 December in 354 AD.

We’re oblivious to the fact that the advent calendar was actually invented by a Munich housewife to stop her children pestering her for a Christmas countdown. And we would never have guessed that the invention of crackers was merely a way of popularizing sweet wrappers. Luckily, like a gift from Santa himself, Mark Forsyth is here to unwrap this fundamentally funny gallimaufry of traditions and oddities, making it all finally make sense – in his wonderfully entertaining wordy way.

We are delighted to welcome back the author. He was last here a couple of years ago talking about his fascinating book ‘The Elements of Eloquence’ and has also written ‘The Etymologicon’ and ‘The Horologicon’. Do join us for what is sure to be another highly interesting talk – and we’ll even serve suitably festive mince-pies and fizz.